Packers pre-training camp 53-man roster projection features tough calls and fierce position battles across the board

Football is somewhat back for the Green Bay Packers. After a few weeks of vacations, the roster is mostly in Green Bay to report for training camp, and the first practice will be on Wednesday.

So now it's a the perfect time to evaluate how the team is, and what are the projections for the 53-man roster.

Quarterbacks (2)

• In: Jordan Love, Malik Willis
• Out: Sean Clifford, Taylor Elgersma
  
  It's a safe place for Love and Willis. Clifford and Elgersma will compete for the QB3 job, but it's most likely a practice squad spot.

Running backs (4)

• In: Josh Jacobs, Emanuel Wilson, MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks
• Out: Amar Johnson, Jalen White
  
  The Packers didn't draft a running back in a strong class, which bodes well for Lloyd's chances. Brooks didn't make it in our last projection before minicamp, but he's such an impactful depth back and special teamer that we found a way to do it this time around.

Wide receivers (6)

• In: Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Matthew Golden, Savion Williams, Malik Heath
• Out: Mecole Hardman, Bo Melton, Julian Hicks, Cornelius Johnson, Samuel Brown, Will Sheppard
• PUP: Christian Watson
  
  The Packers usually keep six receivers, but increasing the number to seven isn't out of the equation. With Watson starting the season on the physically unable to perform list, there's a roster spot available in a fight between everyone, with Heath, Hardman, and Melton with higher chances. The roster locks, barring a surprise (like Doubs being traded), are Reed, Doubs, Wicks, Golden, and Williams.
  It's possible that Green Bay decides to keep Hardman if he's projected to return kicks and punts, and that would possibly cost an offensive lineman his job.

Tight ends (3)

• In: Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, John FitzPatrick
• Out: Ben Sims, Messiah Swinson, Johnny Lumpkin
  
  The battle between FitzPatrick and Sims will be a notable one throughout training camp. Sims is probably a better offensive player and had a bigger role in 2024, but FitzPatrick is a better special teamer—and this final spot will reasonably come down to this.

Offensive line (9)

• In: Rasheed Walker, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Jordan Morgan, Zach Tom, Sean Rhyan, Kadeem Telfort, Anthony Belton, Jacob Monk
• Out: John Williams, Travis Glover, Donovan Jennings, Trey Hill, Tyler Cooper, Brant Banks, J.J. Lippe
  
  OTAs showed us that Jacob Monk has a clear path to make the roster, because he practiced with the ones most of the team while Elgton Jenkins didn't attend. The only difference here compared to the previous projection is that seventh-round rookie John Williams doesn't make it. He was hurt for most of the offseason program and starts camp on the PUP, so he will have to prove his value or fight for a practice squad spot at best.

Defensive tackles (5)

• In: Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Warren Brinson, Colby Wooden
• Out: Nazir Stackhouse, James Ester, Keith Randolph Jr., Nesta Jade Silvera
  
  Nazir Stackhouse was in our first list, but OTAs didn't show us any indication so far that he has a real shot. Meanwhile, Wooden spent some time with the ones and he's had chances at nose tackle, which could mean a bigger role within the defensive line rotation.

Edges (6)

• In: Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Kingsley Enagbare, Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox Jr., Collin Oliver
• Out: Arron Mosby, Deslin Alexandre
  
  It's tough to keep six edges, but Collin Oliver is an off-ball linebacker hybrid. If the Packers want to cut one more player from his list, it will be a battle between former starter Kingsley Enagbare and promising Brenton Cox. Enagbare could be a surprising cut if things don't go right.

Linebackers (5)

• In: Edgerrin Cooper, Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty'Ron Hopper, Isaiah Simmons
• Out: Kristian Welch, Jamon Dumas-Johnson
  
  Isaiah Simmons was added after the draft. Maybe Welch can make the roster as a special teamer too, but it will depend on the numbers elsewhere—and with Simmons in, it's harder to justify that, especially because we're already going with a special teamer at tight end.

Cornerbacks (5)

• In: Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, Carrington Valentine, Kamal Hadden, Gregory Junior
• Out: Kalen King, Micah Robinson, Johnathan Baldwin, Isaiah Dunn, Tyron Herring
  
  Brian Gutekunst doesn't like to cut draft picks, but he has done it from time to time with seventh-rounders. With the release of Jaire Alexander, there will be another spot up for grabs. Former Vols' Kamal Hadden had more work with the ones, alongside Kalen King and Gregory Junior, and these four players will probably fight for two spots.

Safeties (5)

• In: Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Zayne Anderson, Kitan Oladapo
• Out: Omar Brown, Kahzir Brown
  
  No big additions here after the reconstruction of the unit last offseason.

Special teamers (3)

• In: Brandon McManus, Daniel Whelan, Matthew Orzech
• 
  The Packers kept all their three special teamers, re-signing McManus and Whelan. On Monday, the team cut International Pathway Program kicker Alex Hale.